Is the Heights Getting a New Pool?

Three burning questions, answered.

Is this finally happening, or not?

Short Answer: Yeah!Long Answer: The SPJST Lodge 88, known for its wildly popular bingo nights, plans to build a pool for a new swim club. The center actually had a pool for more than 30 years, but it was removed in 1996. Aaron Rigamonti, who’s chairing the Czech cultural club’s pool committee, says members approved the project in February. Plans for the Plavat Klub—Czech translation, “swim club”—include a heated lap pool and play pool. Construction is slated to wrap in May of next year.

Is the project associated with the Heights Swim and Social Club?

Short Answer: Not really.Long Answer: That club made waves in the neighborhood by offering bonds to build a heated lap pool, funded through a similar country-club-like membership. But despite some lingering yard signage, HSSC folded in July of last year—five months after the lodge introduced its plans—and refunded members. While Lodge 88 will be the sole owner and manager of the Plavat Klub, there will be some familiar faces involved. “A lot of [HSSC members] decided to come over to the lodge. Hell, I’m one of them,” says Rigamonti, former HSSC president. “It was going to be a better opportunity.”

Can I become a member?

Short Answer:Get in line.Long Answer: The initial 360 memberships offered for the Plavat Klub—offered to individuals or families that were already Lodge 88 members—sold out fast, and as of press time, the waitlist, open to lodge members and non-members alike, tallies nearly 350 names. At this point, joining the lodge won’t help you skip the line, but if you happen to have become a member before 2018, you might be considered for Plavat as a “legacy”—if, of course, you have a $6,000 deposit handy and are prepared to pay $1,000 a year for the privilege.